Dr. Peter Grinspoon Joins The Rotation to Talk Seniors, Science, Veterans, and the Future of Medical Cannabis

On the latest episode of The Rotation with Suncoast NORML, Gary Stein, Christopher Cano, and Carlos Hermida welcomed one of the most respected voices in modern cannabis medicine: Dr. Peter Grinspoon.

Dr. Grinspoon is a primary care physician, addiction medicine specialist, author of Seeing Through the Smoke, and the son of legendary cannabis scholar Dr. Lester Grinspoon, whose 1971 book Marihuana Reconsidered helped change the national conversation around cannabis science, prohibition, and personal freedom.

This episode came at the perfect time. Dr. Grinspoon’s new book, Aging Well with Cannabis, focuses on one of the fastest-growing groups of cannabis consumers in America: older adults. The book is designed to help seniors and caregivers understand cannabis as a practical tool for pain, sleep, anxiety, and quality of life, while also taking risks and safe use seriously.

Seniors Are Turning to Cannabis Because the Old System Is Not Working

One of the biggest themes of the conversation was simple: older Americans are not turning to cannabis because they want to “get high.” They are turning to cannabis because many are tired of pills, side effects, poor sleep, chronic pain, and medical advice that does not always give them better quality of life.

That point is backed up by new research. A recent JAMA Network Open study examined adults 60 and older who were interested in edible cannabis for pain, sleep, or mental health symptoms. Researchers found that many older adults were looking for alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals and wanted better sleep, less pain, and more ability to enjoy life.

Dr. Grinspoon explained that cannabis is not magic and not a cure-all. But for many seniors, it may offer meaningful relief with fewer side effects than common medications like sleeping pills, antihistamines, or certain pain medications.

Cannabis, Sleep, and the Problem with Prescription Side Effects

The episode also explored cannabis as a sleep aid. Dr. Grinspoon noted that many sleep medications can be especially risky for seniors, including increased fall risk, next-day grogginess, and cognitive side effects.

Cannabis is not perfect, and it does not work the same way for everyone. But for some patients, especially those using modest doses carefully, it may help them fall asleep without the same side-effect burden associated with many traditional sleep drugs.

That conversation lines up with broader national trends. Cannabis and CBD use for sleep continues to rise, and researchers are paying closer attention to why Americans are using cannabis products instead of, or alongside, conventional sleep aids.

Medical Advice Should Not Come Only from Budtenders

A major point from Dr. Grinspoon was that patients deserve better guidance.

Too often, cannabis patients walk into dispensaries with serious medical questions and end up relying on budtenders who may be friendly and knowledgeable about products, but are not medically trained. At the same time, many doctors still do not receive enough education about cannabis to guide patients properly.

That leaves patients stuck in the middle.

Dr. Grinspoon’s message was clear: doctors need to learn more, patients need better resources, and the cannabis industry needs to take education more seriously.

Veterans, PTSD, and the Fight for Access

The episode also connected cannabis medicine to veterans’ health. Christopher Cano discussed Cannabis Unity Week in Washington, D.C., and recent federal movement around allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis to veterans in legal states. The House recently approved veterans-focused cannabis language, though the fight is not finished until it survives the full federal process.

Dr. Grinspoon said many veterans report that cannabis helps with PTSD, sleep, anxiety, and alcohol reduction. He also acknowledged that some addiction specialists remain skeptical, which is why honest, balanced medical education matters.

Cannabis as an Exit Drug, Not a Gateway Drug

One of the strongest parts of the interview focused on opioids.

Dr. Grinspoon described multiple ways cannabis may help reduce opioid harm: by giving doctors another option before prescribing opioids, helping patients use lower opioid doses, supporting people tapering off opioids, and easing withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, pain, and stomach distress.

That is the heart of harm reduction. Cannabis is not risk-free, but compared with fentanyl and high-dose opioids, it can be a far less dangerous tool for many patients.

Drug Testing, Impairment, and Civil Rights

The conversation also tackled one of the biggest injustices in cannabis policy: treating a positive THC test as proof of impairment.

Dr. Grinspoon explained that THC can remain detectable long after impairment has passed. This matters for workers, first responders, parents, patients, and gun owners.

Maryland recently moved to protect firefighters and EMS workers from being punished for off-duty medical cannabis use, with the law set to take effect October 1, 2026.  The ATF has also posted a draft update to federal firearm paperwork that acknowledges changes around state-authorized medical cannabis after federal rescheduling action.

These changes show that cannabis policy is slowly moving away from fear and toward evidence.

Federal Rescheduling Is Progress, But Not Freedom

The episode closed with NORML News, including the major federal development that state-licensed medical cannabis and FDA-approved marijuana products have been moved to Schedule III. However, adult-use cannabis remains federally illegal, and the change does not automatically free prisoners, expunge records, or end discrimination.

That is why NORML’s mission remains urgent.

Rescheduling may help medical cannabis businesses, research, and tax treatment, but it is not the same as descheduling. It is not legalization. It is not justice.

The Bottom Line

Dr. Peter Grinspoon’s appearance on The Rotation reminded us why cannabis advocacy still matters.

Cannabis is helping seniors sleep. It is helping patients manage pain. It is helping veterans cope with trauma. It may help reduce opioid dependence. It is giving families options when the traditional medical system has failed them.

But patients need education. Doctors need training. Lawmakers need science. And the cannabis community needs to keep pushing until no patient, parent, veteran, worker, or consumer is punished for choosing a plant that helps them live better.

That is the work of NORML.

And that is why the fight continues.